Apparatus for feeding strip stock

ABSTRACT

Strip stock feeding apparatus including a pair of diaphragm operated clamps, one movable and one stationary. A fluid cylinder is arranged to move the movable clamp back and forth. The two clamps are alternately actuated at the same time as the fluid cylinder so as to hold the stock in position while the movable clamp moves in one direction and so as to move the stock with the movable clamp as it moves in the opposite direction. Coil straightening rollers and guiding rollers are also provided.

[ Feb. 22, 1972 United States Patent Phillips 3,289,507 12/l966 Grewe................................226/l62X [54] APPARATUS FOR FEEDING STRIP STOCK [72] Inventor:

0 Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Humps Halls Tenn Assistant ExaminerGene A. Church [73] Assignee: Phillips Industries, Inc., Frankfurt, Ind.

[22] Filed:

AttorneyWoodard, Weikart, Emhardt and Naughton ABSTRACT Strip stock feeding apparatus including a pair of diaphragm operated clamps, one movable and one stationary. A fluid Dec. 18, 1969 211 App]. No.: 886,186

cylinder is arranged to move the movable clamp back and forth. The two clamps are alternately actuated at the same time as the fluid cylinder so as to hold the stock in position while the movable clamp moves in one direction and so as to move the stock with the movable clamp as it moves in the opposite direction. Coil straightening rollers and guiding rollers are also provided [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEU FEB 2 2 I972 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTOR. ODIS L. PHILLIPS BY Lbmrami .Ldmd.\E/Mm-li. am mn ATTORNEY S APPARATUS FOR FEEDING STRIP STOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to strip stock feeding apparatus for use with a punch press or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Examples of the prior art are disclosed in the following U.S. Pats. to Irmscher No. 2,003,364; to Holmbeck No. 2,342,049; to King No. 2,353,405; to Gilbert No. 2,468,620; to Simpson No. 2,480,781; to Revelle No. 2,722,276; to Bertram No. 2,9 l 8,97 l; to Cooley No. 3,052,143; to Mosher No. 3,l 37,190; and to Jensen No. 3,229,556.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the invention might include a strip stock feeding apparatus for feeding strip stock to a punch press or the like comprising a frame; a first clamping assembly fixedly mounted on said frame; a second clamping assembly movably mounted on said frame; a first hydraulic cylinder motor having a piston connected to said second clamping assembly and a cylinder connected to said frame; said first clamping assembly comprising a base, spacer means, a guide member, a flexible diaphragm, a clamp member and a top member; means mounting said top member on said base with said spacer means, guide member and flexible diaphragm in that order therebetween; said spacer means being positioned so as to provide a space between said guide member and said base within which space the strip stock is received; said clamp member having an enlarged head thereon; said guide member having an opening therethrough which is complementary in .configuration to said clamp member and includes a recess to receive said enlarged head; said recess extending a sufficient distance through said guide member to permit said clamp member to project out of said guide member toward said base into said space; means for moving fluid to a location between said top member and said diaphragm so as to cause said diaphragm to expand into said opening and force said clamp member to project out of said guide member into said space; and spring means acting between said guide member and said clamp member and tending to retract said clamp member into said guide member.

Objects of this invention are to provide an improved strip stock feeder and to provide a strip stock feeder which firmly and evenly engages the strip stock for movement thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top plan view of a strip stock feeding apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a different operating position of the apparatus; and

FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 77 of FIG. 4 showing the apparatus in a different operating position from FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated strip stock feeding apparatus 10 which includes a frame 11. A base member 12 forming a part of a first clamping assembly 15 is fixedly mounted to the frame 11 by screws 16. A further base member 17 is fixed to the frame 11 by screws 20. Four shoulder bolts 21 extendbetween and are affixed to the base members 12 and 17 and maintain them in a fixed spaced parallel relationship.

A fluid cylinder 22 extends through and is carried by the base member 12 and is fixed to a locating member 25. The

rearward end of the fluid cylinder 22 is fixed to a further base member 26. Threaded members 27 are fixed to the base member 26 and are adjustably fixed to the locating member 25. The threaded members 27 extend through the locating member 25 and are fixed at their ends to the base member 17.

By releasing and repositioning the nuts 30, the locating member 25 can be repositioned so as to reposition the fluid cylinder 22. Such repositioning causes a change in one end of the stroke of the base 35 which forms part of the clamping assembly 36.

Not only does the base member 26 support the fluid cylinder 22 but it also forms a part of a structure for straightening coil stock coming into the strip-feeding apparatus. The coil stock straightener 40 additionally includes sideplates 41 and 42 and end plates 43, the end plate 43 being fixed to the sideplates 42 and the sideplates 42 being fixed to the base member 26. Three rollers 45,46 and 47 are rotatively mounted upon the sideplates 42 and 41. The roller 46 is spring biased by compression spring means 50 which act between the roller 46 and the sideplates 41 and 42. Integral with the baseplate 26 is a horizontally extending plate 51 which has slots 52 formed therein. The slots 52 extend perpendicularly of the direction of movement of the strip stock 55. Rollers 56 which rotate on fixed elements 57 are provided for guiding the strip stock out of the straightening apparatus 40 and into the strip stock moving apparatus. The rollers 56 have concave peripheries adapted to receive the sideward edges of the strip stock 55. A nut 60 is provided for each of the threaded fixed elements 57 for fixing the respective rollers 56 at any desired location along the length of respective slots 52 depending upon the desired location and size of the strip stock 55. The base member 17 has a similar member 65 integral therewith which has similarly mounted and shaped rollers 66 mounted thereon, the rollers 66 also being horizontally adjustable perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the tape 55.

The fluid cylinder 22 has two conduits 70 and 71 which function to provide means for providing fluid pressure into the cylinder. The conduit 70 is adapted to receive fluid pressure for projecting the piston 72 of the fluid cylinder while the conduit 71 is adapted to receive fluid under pressure for retracting the piston 72.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, the details of a representative one of the clamping assemblies 15 and 36 is illustrated. Both clamping assemblies 15 and 36 are identical and consequently the description of the clamping assembly 36 also applies to the clamping assembly 15. As illustrated, there is provided the base 35, spacer means 80, a guide member 81, a flexible diaphragm 82, a clamp member and a top member 86. Threaded into the top member 86 is a conduit 90 which provides a port into the space 91 between the diaphragm 82 and the top member 86. Supplying fluid through the conduit 90 causes the diaphragm 82 to be forced downwardly into and ballooned against the clamp member 85. As illustrated, such pressure forces the clamp member 85 downwardly so that it engages and clamps the strip stock 55 against the base 35. The clamp member 85 has a configuration which is complementary to the opening 92 through the guide member 81. This opening is generally elongated with rounded ends but also includes a recess 95 which is proportioned to slidingly fit an enlarged head 96 on the clamp member 85. Positioned between the clamp member 85, and the guide member 81 are compression springs 97 which are received in suitable recesses in the two members which act to normally hold the clamp member 85 in an upward position away from the strip stock 55. It will be noted that flat head screws I00 hold the top member 86 and the member 35 together and also hold together the various parts sandwiched between the top member 86 and the base member 35.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, two operating positions of the apparatus are shown. In FIG. 5, the piston 72 is shown projected and the clamping member 85 is shown in clamping relation engaging the strip stock 55 so that the strip stock is moved rightwardly to the illustrated position and beyond to a position wherein the piston 72 has moved through its complete stroke and the clamping assembly 36 is in its far rightward position. When the apparatus reaches that position, the fluid being placed into the apparatus through the conduit 70 and the conduit 90 is cut off and fluid is fed into the conduit 71 and the conduit 105. This causes the clamping member of the clamping assembly 15 to engage the strip stock and to hold it stationary. The springs 97 retract the clamping member 85 of the clamping assembly 36 and the clamping assembly 36 is moved leftwardly to the far leftward position as shown in FIG. 5 while the strip stock 55 is held stationary. This operation is repeated to move the strip stock rightwardly in an intermittent stepping motion. The fluid being supplied to the various conduits 70, 71, 90 and 105 is also supplied to the punch press so as to cause it to operate in synchronism with the feeding thereof.

lclaim:

l. A strip stock feeding apparatus for feeding strip stock to a punch press or the like comprising a frame; a first clamping assembly fixedly mounted on said frame; a second clamping assembly movably mounted on said frame; a first fluid cylinder motor having a piston connected to said second clamping assembly and a cylinder connected to said frame; said first clamping assembly comprising a base, spacer means, a guide member, a flexible diaphragm, a clamp member and a top member; means mounting said top member on said base with said spacer means immediately adjacent said base, said guide member positioned immediately atop and adjacent said spacer means and said flexible diaphragm positioned between and adjacent said top member and said guide so as to provide a space between said guide member and said base within which space the strip stock is received; said clamp member having an enlarged head thereon; said guide member having an opening therethrough which is complementary in configuration to said clamp member and includes a recess to receive said enlarged head; said recess extending a sufficient distance through said guide member to permit said clamp member to project out of said guide member toward said base into said space; means for moving fluid to a location between said top member and said diaphragm so as to cause said diaphragm to expand into said opening and force said clamp member to project out of said guide member into said space, and spring means acting between said guide member and said clamp member and tending to retract said clamp member into said guide member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a first pair of rollers mounted on said frame and along side one another, said rollers being arranged to rotate about parallel axes and having concave outer peripheries adapted to receive the side edges of strip stock, said rollers being aligned with said space, said second clamping assembly also including a base, guide member and spacer means with said base and guide member defining a space therebetween in alignment with said rollers and first-mentioned space, a second pair of rollers mounted on said frame and along side one another, said second pair of rollers being arranged to rotate about parallel axes and having concave outer peripheries adapted to receive the side edges of strip stock, said second pair of rollers being aligned with said first pair of rollers and with said spaces, said rollers being out board of said spaces.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein there are provided roller mounting members mounting said rollers on said frame, said roller mounting members having slots which extend in the direction of spacing apart of said rollers, releasable means adjustably mounting said rollers on said roller mounting members for adjustment of said rollers away from one another or toward one another, said releasable means including screws extending through said slots, and nuts on said screws.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising:

a pair of rotatably mounted cylinders connected to said frame and positioned in front of said first clamping assembly; and,

an upper rotatably mounted cylinder connected to said frame and spring biased toward said pair being positioned therebetween and cooperatively with said pair flattening and aligning said strip stock with said space of said first clamping assembly and said second clamping assembly.

v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,643 ,845- Dat d February 22 1972 Inventor g L.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the designation of the Assignee,'

"Frankfurt" should be changed to--Frankfort'-- Signed and sealed this 25th day of July 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOITSCHALK Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 fi u.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969 o-36s-a34 FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) 

1. A strip stock feeding apparatus for feeding strip stock to a punch press or the like comprising a frame; a first clamping assembly fixedly mounted on said frame; a second clamping assembly movably mounted on said frame; a first fluid cylinder motor having a piston connected to said second clamping assembly and a cylinder connected to said frame; said first clamping assembly comprising a base, spacer means, a guide member, a flexible diaphragm, a clamp member and a top member; means mounting said top member on said base with said spacer means immediately adjacent said base, said guide member positioned immediately atop and adjacent said spacer means and said flexible diaphragm positioned between and adjacent said top member and said guide so as to provide a space between said guide member and said base within which space the strip stock is received; said clamp member having an enlarged head thereon; said guide member having an opening therethrough which is complementary in configuration to said clamp member and includes a recess to receive said enlarged head; said recess extending a sufficient distance through said guide member to permit said clamp member to project out of said guide member toward said base into said space; means for moving fluid to a location between said top member and said diaphragm so as to cause said diaphragm to expand into said opening and force said clamp member to project out of said guide member into said space, and spring means acting between said guide member and said clamp member and tending to retract said clamp member into said guide member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a first pair of rollers mounted on said frame and along side one another, said rollers being arranged to rotate about parallel axes and having concave outer peripheries adapted to receive the side edges of strip stock, said rollers being aligned with said space, said second clamping assembly also including a base, guide member and spacer means with said base anD guide member defining a space therebetween in alignment with said rollers and first-mentioned space, a second pair of rollers mounted on said frame and along side one another, said second pair of rollers being arranged to rotate about parallel axes and having concave outer peripheries adapted to receive the side edges of strip stock, said second pair of rollers being aligned with said first pair of rollers and with said spaces, said rollers being out board of said spaces.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein there are provided roller mounting members mounting said rollers on said frame, said roller mounting members having slots which extend in the direction of spacing apart of said rollers, releasable means adjustably mounting said rollers on said roller mounting members for adjustment of said rollers away from one another or toward one another, said releasable means including screws extending through said slots, and nuts on said screws.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising: a pair of rotatably mounted cylinders connected to said frame and positioned in front of said first clamping assembly; and, an upper rotatably mounted cylinder connected to said frame and spring biased toward said pair being positioned therebetween and cooperatively with said pair flattening and aligning said strip stock with said space of said first clamping assembly and said second clamping assembly. 